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A Complete Guide to Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is a high-altitude wilderness located in Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands near Nuwara Eliya, famous for its stunning scenery, cold climate, and unique wildlife. Known for attractions like World’s End and Baker’s Falls, the park consists of cloud forests and open grasslands that can only be explored on foot through nature trails—making it different from jeep safari parks like Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe or Minneriya. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important water catchment area, home to species such as the Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan Leopard, Purple-Faced Langur, and many Endemic Birds. Ideal for hikers, nature lovers, highland leopard trackers and birdwatchers, Horton Plains offers a peaceful and misty escape into Sri Lanka’s hill country wilderness.

📍 Specifications of Horton Plains National Park

General Information
  • Name: Horton Plains National Park
  • Location: Central Highlands of Sri Lanka – between Nuwara Eliya, Ohiya, and Haputale
  • Province: Central Province
  • Established: 1988
  • Area: 3,160 hectares (31.6 km²)
  • Nearest Towns: Pattipola (6km), Ohiya (5 km), Nuwara Eliya (24 km), Haputale (29 km)
Geography & Landscape
  • Altitude: 2,100 – 2,300 meters (6,900 – 7,500 ft) above sea level
  • A montane cloud forest and grassland ecosystem
  • Famous cliff viewpoint – World’s End (870 m drop) and Mini World’s End
  • Baker’s Falls – a 20-meter scenic waterfall
  • Source region for three major rivers: Mahaweli, Kelani, and Walawe
  • Annual temperature: 5°C to 27°C (can be very cold early morning)
  • Rainfall: ~2,000–5,000 mm/year (frequent mist)
Biodiversity
  • Rich in endemic species found only in Sri Lanka
  • Mammals: Sambar deer (common), Sri Lankan Leopard, purple-faced langur, otters, toque macaque, rusty-spotted cat, wild boar
  • Birds: Sri Lanka bush warbler, yellow-eared bulbul, Sri Lanka white-eye, and many montane endemics
  • Flora: Montane grasslands, cloud forests, Keena (Calophyllum walkeri), tree ferns
  • Endemism: Over 50% of species are endemic
🔭 Attractions Inside the Park
  • World’s End Viewpoint
  • Mini World’s End
  • Baker’s Falls
  • Pekoe Trail
  • Montane cloud forests
  • Endemic wildlife observation
Conservation Status
  • IUCN Category: II (National Park)
  • UNESCO Status: Part of the Sri Lanka Central Highlands World Heritage Site (since 2010)

Wildlife You Can Expect in Horton Plains National Park

🐾 Mammals Commonly Seen

  • Sambar Deer – The most common large mammal in the park; often seen in herds.
  • Toque Macaque (Highland subspecies) – Endemic to Sri Lanka.
  • Purple-Faced Leaf Monkey – Endangered, arboreal primate rarely seen but present.
  • Striped-necked Mongoose – Seen occasionally along trails.
  • Grizzled Giant Squirrel – Rare but found near forested areas.
  • Wild Boar – Common in mud grassland edges and forest patches.
  • Fishing Cat – Nocturnal, rarely seen.
  • European Hare (Introduced species) – Can be spotted at dusk near grasslands.
  • Leopard (Sri Lankan Leopard) – Present but rarely seen due to dense forest cover.

🦉 Birdlife (Excellent for Birdwatching)

Horton Plains is one of the best birding locations in Sri Lanka’s highlands with many endemic species:

  • Sri Lanka Bush Warbler (Endemic)
  • Yellow-Eared Bulbul (Endemic)
  • Sri Lanka White-Eye (Endemic)
  • Sri Lanka Junglefowl (National bird)
  • Dull-Blue Flycatcher (Endemic)
  • Grey Tit
  • Black-Throated Munia
  • Pied Bush Chat
  • Hill Swallow
  • Forest Eagle Owl (rare but recorded)

🦎 Reptiles, Amphibians & Others

Horton Plains is rich in endemic amphibians and small reptiles:

  • Rhino Horn Lizard (Ceratophora stoddartii) – Highland endemic 🌿
  • Pygmy Lizard
  • Black-Lipped Lizard
  • Horton Plains Shrub Frog 🐸
  • Common Hourglass Tree Frog
  • Silent Valley Oriental Shrub Frog

Safari Times & Durations in Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is not a traditional jeep safari park like Minneriya, Yala, or Udawalawe. Instead, it offers nature trekking safaris on foot. Visitors explore the park by following designated hiking trails, mainly to World’s End, Mini World’s End, and Baker’s Falls. However, jeep or car rides are available only for transport from the entrance to the starting point for hikers, also you can explore the Pattipola & Ohiya road segment by car or jeep.

🕘 Safari / Trekking Times

Type of VisitBest Start/ EndTimeDuration
Full World’s End Round Trail – 9km6:00 AM – 12:00 PM3–5 hours
Short Trail (to Mini World’s End and back)6:00 AM – 2:00 PM1.5–2 hours
Baker’s Falls Walk & Return6:00 AM – 2:00 PM2–2.5 hours
Thotupola Kanda TrailAnytime2 hours
Dayagama Trail (Stage 10 of Pekoe Trail)6:00 AM – 10:00 AM2-4 hours
General Wildlife Tour6:00 AM – 6.00 PM12 hours
Bird Watching Tour6:00 AM – 11.00 AM5 hours
Leopard Tracking Tour (1-3 Full Days)6:00 AM – 6.00 PM12 hours

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

    • Best entry time: 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM
      Early entry avoids mist and gives clear views at World’s End.
    • Mist covers viewpoint after 9:30 AM, so late visits reduce visibility.
    • Avoid rainy days (trail becomes slippery, leeches are active), also limited wildlife.

Horton Plains National Park Entrances

Pattipola Entrance – Main Gate from Nuwara Eliya

Horton Plains National Park can be accessed through three main routes, although Pattipola is the most popular. The primary way into the park is through the Pattipola entrance, which serves as the main gateway for tourists arriving by vehicle. This entrance is reached via the Ambewela–Pattipola road and is the starting point for all visitors entering the park from Nuwara Eliya. Tickets are issued, vehicles are checked, and park regulations are enforced by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. 

Ohiya Entrance

The second access route is from the Ohiya side. It is used mostly by hikers and backpackers who arrive by train at Ohiya Railway Station and then walk into the park through a scenic uphill trail. Vehicle access is permitted through. Less vehicles are entering from this side than Pattipola side. 

Dayagama Entrance (Walking/ Cycling Access Only)

New access route is open to Pekeo Trail trekkers and visitors who are enjoying walking up to Horton Plains by foot. This route does not allow vehicles and the route is not well developed. This route is part of Pekeo Trail stage 10.

How to Get to Horton Plains National Park Entrances

🚗 To Pattipola Entrance (Main Gate)

  • ✅ Official entrance to Horton Plains National Park
  • 📍 Located near Pattipola on the Ambewela–Pattipola road
  • 🚙 From Nuwara Eliya: 32 km – via Ambewela (approx. 1–1.5 hours)
  • 🚙 From Haputale: 28 km – via Boralanda & Ohiya Road (approx. 1.5–2 hours)
  • 🚙 From Bandarawela: 30 km – via Haputale / Boralanda
  • 🚙 From Ella: 45 km – via Bandarawela & Haputale (approx. 2 hours)
  • 🚙 From Kandy: 135 km – via Nuwara Eliya (approx. 4–5 hours)
  • 🚖 Most popular route for tourists and safari jeeps
  • 🎟️ Tickets issued here / Entry permits obtained here
  • 🛣️ Best road conditions compared to other routes

🚗 To Ohiya Entrance

  • 🚉 Reach Ohiya Railway Station by train (Colombo–Badulla line), alternatively by Car
  • 🚶 Hike or take a tuk-tuk or Car for 5 km uphill to the park gates from Ohiya Town
  • 🎟️ Tickets issued here / Entry permits obtained here
  • 🌿 Ideal for backpackers, hikers, and train travelers
  • 🏞️ Very scenic route through tea estates and cloud forests

🚶 To Dayagama Entrance (Walking/ Cycling Access Only)

  • 🚉 Reach Dayagama Entrance via Dayagama Town by car
  • 🎟️ Tickets issued here / Entry permits obtained here
  • 🌿 Ideal for trekkers, cyclists, backpackers, hikers, and train travelers
  • 🏞️ Very scenic route through cloud forests
  • ⚠️ No vehicle access directly into the park from this side

Horton Plains National Park Safari Tours & Costs

Click Here to See Horton Plains Safari Costs

Travel Tips for Horton Plains National Park​

  • Start early and enter the park before 6:30 AM to see World’s End before mist blocks the view.
  • Buy tickets at Pattipola/ Ohiya entrance – online tickets are also possible.
  • The park closes entry around 3:30 PM and visitors must exit by 6:00 PM.
  • Weather changes quickly, so expect sudden cold winds, rain or heavy mist.
  • Always stick to marked trails – off-trail hiking is prohibited and dangerous.
  • Warm clothing or a jacket – temperatures can drop below 10°C.
  • Cap, sunscreen & sunglasses – UV is high at this altitude.
  • Plenty of drinking water – small coffee shop is available with limited food inside the park.
  • Energy snacks or breakfast – picnic area available near the trail start.
  • Raincoat instead of umbrella due to windy conditions.
  • Good hiking shoes with grip – trails are often muddy or rocky.
  • Avoid feeding animals – especially Sambar deer and monkeys.
  • Leeches may appear during wet weather – carry salt or citronella oil.
  • Stay at least 50 meters from cliffs at World’s End – strong winds are risky.
  • Do not approach wildlife for photos – telephoto lens recommended.
  • Smoking, alcohol, drones and polythene are strictly banned.
  • World’s End Loop is 9 km – takes 3–4 hours.
  • Visit in this order: Mini World’s End → World’s End → Baker’s Falls.
  • Toilets are available near the entrance, park office, and thotupola kanda trail start. None are along the trails.
  • Disturbing animals are prohibited and spot fines are enforced.

Bungalows inside Horton Plains National Park

Here are two official wildlife-department bungalows and a dormitory inside Horton Plains National Park that you can reserve. Availability is limited and you’ll need to book through the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) online system.There are government-run bungalows inside National Parks where you can stay and enjoy wildlife much closer Each bungalow usually accommodates up to ~10 people. These bungalows has limited facilities but highly popular among local wildlife communities and researchers due to close access to habitats where illusive leopards roam in the morning. 

  • Facilities: The bungalows provide basic amenities such as beds, kitchen and bathrooms. These bungalows have no AC or Fans, but usually designed to accommodate natural air circulation.
  • Food: Each bungalow has a bungalow keeper and a cook. Visitors need to bring all the raw materials to prepare food.
  • Wildlife: These bungalow offers a good opportunity for sightings of leopards, also fantastic spots for birdwatching.
  • Location: Bungalows are located near the Pattipola and Ohiya main road and can be reached via cars or vans. You can explore the park before visitors from outside are entering the park as it gets crowded as the day goes by, specially the Pattipola road of the park.
Bungalow NameLocation/Notes
Maha Eliya Wildlife BungalowFacing a large open grass land in the middle of Horton Plains, this is the perfect spot to enjoy wildlife very close. Facilities are very limited but hot water is available on sunny days. Most demanding bungalow in Horton Plains. Many wildlife can be seen just outside the door, sometimes the elusive leopards too.
Ginihiriya Wildlife BungalowClose to Ohiya side of the park, this is more developed than Maha Eliya bungalow. Hence the price is higher than Mahaeliya bungalow. This is a perfect family hideout in a peaceful environment, also less vehicles are entering from Ohiya side.
DormitoryThis dormitory style bungalow is currently under construction, and has a capacity of 20. Just few meters away from Maheeliya bungalow, Many wildlife can be seen just outside the door, sometimes the elusive leopards too.
Click Here to Book Any Horton Plains Bungalow

Comparison to other Sri Lankan National Parks

Horton Plains National Park stands apart from most other Sri Lankan national parks because it offers a completely different kind of wilderness experience. Unlike Yala, Wilpattu, Minneriya or Udawalawe, which are dominated by dry zone forests, lakes and open savannahs rich in large mammals like elephants and leopards, Horton Plains is a montane cloud forest and highland grassland ecosystem found nowhere else in the country. Situated over 2,100 meters above sea level, it is the highest national park in Sri Lanka and is better known for scenic hiking, waterfalls and rare highland biodiversity rather than jeep safaris and wildlife encounters. While Yala is famous for leopards, Minneriya for elephant gatherings, and Wilpattu for vast villus and wilderness, Horton Plains is celebrated for iconic viewpoints such as World’s End, Mini World’s End and Baker’s Falls, making it more of a trekking and nature exploration park than a traditional safari park. It also has an exceptionally high rate of endemic species like the Horton Plains slender loris, rhino horn lizard and highland birds, giving it greater scientific and conservation value. Compared to other parks, Horton Plains is also colder, windier and more restricted with stricter rules, limited vehicle access and no in-park safari tours. In summary, while most Sri Lankan national parks focus on wildlife tourism, Horton Plains is unique as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that blends scenic beauty, ecological significance and hiking adventure in one of the island’s most pristine environments.

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